Dr. Chatham Ewing has been named the new director of the Robson Library. His first day in his new position will be Sept. 15.

Ewing most recently served as the digital library strategist for public services at the Cleveland Public Library in Cleveland, Ohio, from 2013 to 2024. Before that, he was assistant professor and curator of special collections at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign from 2008-2012.

“I’m really looking forward to working at the University,” Ewing said. “I am happy to have the opportunity to work with great people at a University that has a mission with which I feel in tune.” 

In his position at the Cleveland Public Library, Ewing conceptualized and supervised the creation and access to the library’s online digital collections. He also has experience as a tutor and administrator in college writing centers, classroom instructor, departmental liaison and digital humanities scholar.

“I think that my combination of experience as a teacher and librarian will benefit the community and help to make the library central to thinking and learning on campus,” Ewing said. 

Ewing earned his Ph.D. in English literature from University of Missouri. He has an M.L.S. From Rutgers University as well as master’s degrees in English literature from New York University and Georgetown University. He earned his bachelor’s degree from The Johns Hopkins University. 

Ewing has also served as an assistant professor and digital librarian for special collections at University of Mississippi from 2005-2008 and as curator of modern literature-manuscripts from Washington University in St. Louis from 1990-2005.

In addition, Ewing is an accomplished archer and archery coach and official, competing throughout the country and serving as a judge for local and national archery tournaments.

“I enjoy archery and shoot an Olympic recurve bow,” he said. “I’ve been involved in the sport for over 10 years as a parent, archer, coach and judge.  I hope to continue with archery at the University.”

Ewing has two sons, Nikolai, who is a junior at The Ohio State University studying international relations, and Timothy, a freshman at Cleveland State University studying nursing.

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Krista Denne, instruction and outreach librarian at ����vlog����, will share her expertise on Artificial Intelligence (AI) at several campus and state-wide events within the next few weeks.

Denne will organize and facilitate AI Week on the U of O campus this week. Presented by Robson Library, AI Week will feature a different speaker and AI-related topic throughout the week, beginning with Dr. Bill Gorton, assistant professor of political science and philosophy, discussing “Ethics and AI” at 6 p.m. today in Robson Library.

Other speakers and topics for AI Week will include, Matt Bewley, director of career services, with “AI Powered Job Search and Resume Enhancement” on Tuesday; Tina McCain, academic support coordinator, with “AI in the Workplace” on Wednesday; and Denne with “AI and Academic Research” on Thursday. The events begin at 6 p.m. each evening in Robson Library and the public is invited to attend.

In addition, Denne will be a member of the panel discussion at the Arkansas Library Association Conference on AI in Academics on Oct. 5 in Hot Springs. The event will feature Arkansas librarians from diverse academic institutions discussing how generative AI has influenced their institutions. They will share insights on its practical applications, impact on their work, and policies for ethical use.

On Oct. 7, Denne will give a presentation on AI in Academic Research to the TRIO Arkansas Association of Student Assistance Programs in Hot Springs.

In describing her presentation to TRIO, Denne said: “AI can be a distraction, problem, or headache for many in the academic world. It can also be a tool we teach our students to use so they are prepared to use it effectively, ethically, and with caution while in college and the professional world. I seek to find that balance while equipping students to see it as a tool, not a solution. This presentation will highlight the ethical and efficient uses of generative AI and highlight the importance of AI research tools such as Research Rabbit, Elicit, and others.”

This past summer, Denne was certified in efficient prompt engineering from the Association of College and Research Libraries and completed her library coursework with a class on AI in libraries. Last spring she presented to more than 100 U of O faculty and students in Robson Library on AI in Academic Research.

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